3D printing processes—
what’s the difference?

FDM·SLA·DLP are available via on-site auto-quote; SLS/SLM/DMLS and PolyJet/MJP are produced when you contact an admin. Cost, surface quality, strength, and supports decide the right process.

Quick answer

FDM is the cost-effective choice for functional tests and assemblies, SLA suits visual and precision models that need smooth surfaces and fine detail, and DLP is efficient for repeated small precision parts. SLS/SLM/DMLS (support-free complex or metal parts) and PolyJet/MJP (multi-colour, highest resolution) are available from WOW3D by contacting an admin—they are not listed in auto-quote.

By Seo Jeongju, CEO of WOW3DLast updated 2026-10-19First published 2026-07-28

All processes at a glance

SLS/SLM/DMLS and PolyJet/MJP are not listed in auto-quote, but WOW3D can print and produce them. Contact an admin when you need these processes.

All processes at a glance
Item	FDM	SLA	DLP	SLS / SLM / DMLS	PolyJet / MJP
Best for	Functional prototypes & assembly	Looks & precision models	Small precision & repeats	Metal, complex shapes, low-volume	High-res looks & multi-color
Surface quality	Fair (layer lines possible)	Very high	Very high	By material & finish	Best-in-class
Mechanical strength	High	By material	By material	Very high (metals possible)	By use (limited)
Supports	Required	Required	Required	Not required	Required
Cost efficiency	Excellent	Moderate	Moderate	Higher cost	Higher cost
WOW3D offer	Auto quote	Auto quote	Auto quote	Ask admin	Ask admin

Auto quote

Processes you can quote and produce now

FDM

Auto quote

Fused Deposition Modeling

Solid filament is heated and melted in a nozzle, then deposited layer by layer on the bed. The most widely used 3D printing technology.

SLA

Auto quote

Stereolithography

A UV laser scans and selectively cures liquid photopolymer resin layer by layer. Surfaces are smooth with excellent detail.

DLP

Auto quote

Digital Light Processing

A light source (projector/UV panel) cures an entire resin layer at once. Per-layer cure time is short, so builds can be faster than SLA.

Inquiry production

Processes via admin inquiry

SLS / SLM / DMLS

Ask admin

Powder bed fusion

Powder is spread thin and selectively sintered or melted by laser to build layers. Complex shapes can be made without supports; applies to plastics (SLS) and metals (SLM·DMLS).

SLS

Selective Laser Sintering. Lasers sinter nylon/TPU powders. Common for plastic functional parts and prototypes.

SLM

Selective Laser Melting. Fully melts metal powder into dense metal parts for aerospace, medical, and automotive uses.

DMLS

Direct Metal Laser Sintering. Metal powder laser process name used by EOS and others; produces metal parts similar to SLM.

PolyJet / MJP

Ask admin

Material jetting

Liquid material is finely jetted and cured to build layers. Multiple materials and colors can be combined in one build—strong for visual models and high-res appearance prototypes.

PolyJet

Stratasys-family material jetting. Jets multiple materials/colors in one build for high-res multi-color models.

MJP

Multi Jet Printing. Jet-based processes from 3D Systems and others for precise visual models and casting patterns in wax/resin.

How to choose

Functional tests & assembly parts → FDM is usually the best value.
Looks & fine detail → Consider SLA or DLP.
Complex shapes without supports · metal parts → SLS/SLM/DMLS may fit. Contact an admin.
Multi-color · ultra high-res appearance models → Consider PolyJet/MJP. Contact an admin.

FAQ

For functional prototypes, is FDM or SLA better?

If you need fit checks, durability tests, or functional trials, FDM is usually better. If looks and fine detail matter more, choose SLA or DLP.

SLA and DLP look similar—what is the difference?

Both are resin processes, but SLA cures point-by-point with a laser while DLP cures a full layer at once. For repeating small precision parts, DLP can be faster.

Which process is best when surface quality matters most?

For smooth surfaces and fine detail, pick SLA or DLP. FDM is more economical but layer lines can show.

How do SLS·SLM·DMLS differ from FDM?

Powder bed fusion can build complex shapes and metal parts without supports, but equipment and cost are higher. Everyday prototypes are often more economical with FDM·SLA·DLP auto-quote; if you need SLS/SLM/DMLS, contact an admin—WOW3D can produce them.

What is the difference between PolyJet and SLA?

Both deliver high resolution. PolyJet/MJP jets materials and excels at multi-color/multi-material; SLA photopolymerizes resin and is widely used for fine detail and clear materials. For PolyJet/MJP production, contact an admin.

Real Output